By Dean Reynolds
OHSWEKEN, ON - It can easily be described as the sprint car capital of Canada…The Ohsweken Speedway. A dream of one Glenn Styres as a simple 3/8ths mile oval literally built in his backyard to have fun has turned into one of the most premier dirt track facilities in both nations.
At Ohsweken its now sprint cars and nothing but sprint cars. For the first few seasons, sportsman machines were the weekly flavor but now it’s all wings showcasing the only weekly show of 360 sprint cars in the Northeastern US and Canada. That theory hasn’t worked anywhere else in what as known as modified country, it’s a niche here.
While the Corr/Pak Sprints is the family…Ohsweken likes to throw many parties to invite friends. The Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints will be the first affair on Friday, May 29th. Also, how bout this…three more of the major 360 sanctions in the US and Canada, both the World of Outlaw Sprint and Late Models and it all culminates with the 5th Annual Arrow Express Canadian Sprint Car Nationals where ESS is proud to be a part once again.
Glenn Styres is the owner and the financial foundation with the hardest working husband and wife tandem of Cheryl and Ken Pelkie heading as the promoters. There is no I not dotted or a T crossed when it comes to the work of the Pelkies and that’s a trait that makes Ohsweken so successful.
Just about all the improvements are done at Ohsweken making this one of the most modern dirt track facilities of them all. Glenn has spent the money now he needs the weather gods on his side so he can make some back! A beautiful, tire friendly, banked oval produces no less than 4-wide racing. New high rise bleachers go from turn four to turn one; there isn’t a bad seat in the house. The pits are off the back stretch so fans have a clear view. Pit crews and pit spectators can view from a large set of bleachers on the backstretch with the pits boasting some of the most modern restroom facilities.
Drivers of local interest that will take on the stars and cars from the Lucas Oil tour are Glenn himself and his teammates of 2008 champ Keith Dempster and Ryan Hunsinger. Also you have Kevin Job, Dave Dykstra, Mikey Kruchka, Brad Malloy, Tom Huppunen and many more. The largest full point show car count last season was at Ohsweken with 42 machines in the pits.
ESS Facts – Ohsweken Speedway:
ESS Events Run: 14
Different Winners: 10
Most Wins: Steve Poirier (3)
Last Event Run: 9/27/08 Canadian Nationals
Most Recent Winner: Wayne Johnson
Ohsweken Facts:
Location: Located on Chiefswood Rd on the Six Nations Indian Reservation
ESS Date(s): May 29th and Sept. 18 & 19
Promoter(s): Cheryl and Ken Pelkie
Track Phone: (519) 445-0197
Website: www.ohswekenspeedway.com
Sites of Interest:
The Six Nations Indian Reservation
Brantford, Ontario the home of Wayne Gretzky
City of Hamilton just 45 minutes away.
